Something is clearly wrong with former San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner.
In his fourth start of the season Sunday, Bumgarner gave up four home games in the first two innings against the San Diego Padres, including two to third baseman Manny Machado.
The left-handed speed ball is a serious concern for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who signed Bumgarner on a five-year, $ 85 million deal this offseason.
Bumgarner’s fastball peaked at 87.7 miles per hour in the first two innings of Sunday’s game, which is significantly lower than the 90 to 92 kilometers per hour speed ball he played in the final seasons of his tenure. with the Giants thrown. After a few homers from Machado, one of Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. and another of the infamous Giants killer Wil Myers, climbed Bumgarner’s ERA to 9.35.
In his first 17 1/3 innings this season, Bumgarner has now conceded seven home points and needs to throw another six innings in a start.
Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper announced Bumgarner’s status line during the Giants-Dodgers matchup on Sunday, saying, “Something is wrong with one of our favorites.”
The start of the 2020 season is not the first time Bumgarner has had to deal with reduced speed ball speed, but he has never consistently struggled to reach 90 miles per hour.
After injuring his left shoulder in a dirt bike accident in 2018 and dealing with a broken finger in his pitching hand in 2019, Bumgarner returned to the mound as soon as possible and saw his speed drop in the high 80s and low 90s. In both seasons, Bumgarner’s average speed has improved by improving after several starts, but that will not diminish Arizona’s immediate concerns.
The D’backs are slated for the Giants in San Francisco from August 21-23, but it appears a return to Oracle Park is now in jeopardy for Bumgarner who could soon land on the injured list as the medical staff of Arizona detecting an injury contributes to his poor performances.
The Giants will also face the D’backs August 28-30 in Arizona before hosting a set of four games from September 4-7.
Bumgarner’s early shows in Arizona are reminiscent of Jason Schmidt’s first start with the Los Angeles Dodgers, after the former Giants signed a three-year, $ 47 million deal with the Dodgers prior to the 2007 season.
Schmidt placed a 7.01 ERA in six starts in his first season with the Dodgers because he had to deal with a serious shoulder injury that caused him to miss the entire 2008 season. The right-hander only appeared in 2009 in four games before being placed on the injured list, marking the end of his career.
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